For individuals with developmental disabilities, fitness is often about more than just physical health. It can be a pathway to confidence, independence, and improved quality of life. However, traditional fitness programs are not always designed to accommodate the unique needs of those who learn or communicate differently. James Anderson, founder of Better Everyday Athletics, believes that effective inclusive fitness starts with a simple principle: meet people where they are.
Anderson's approach is built on five key principles. The first is to meet people where they are. Instead of expecting individuals to adapt to a conventional program, Anderson begins with an initial consultation to understand each person's abilities, needs, and starting point. From there, movements are adapted and progressed individually. This personalized method ensures that fitness is not about forcing someone into a mold, but about understanding their motivations and comfort levels.
The second principle is to move with purpose. Anderson's background in both personal training and behavioral health shaped his belief that movement can serve a larger role in everyday life. An early experience with a behavioral health client demonstrated that purposeful movement could be integrated into broader routines, supporting progress beyond traditional fitness goals.
Third, inclusive fitness aims to build better habits. Anderson emphasizes that sustainable progress takes many forms: it might be getting stronger, but it could also mean developing confidence, establishing healthier routines, or gaining independence. Even small steps matter, and sometimes the victory is simply discovering, 'I can do this.'
Fourth, Anderson's philosophy extends to strengthening the whole family. His own experience as a father during the exhausting early months of parenthood showed him that maintaining his physical fitness helped him manage stress and better care for his daughter. This insight reinforced his belief that healthy habits influence entire families, a concept he explores in his book, Legacy of Health: A Parent's Guide to Building Strength, Energy, and Longevity for the Next Generation, which encourages parents to consider the example their health habits set for the next generation.
Finally, the goal is to create lifelong independence. For Anderson, inclusive fitness helps individuals recognize their capabilities and build from there. Families have shared stories of progress: one parent noted her daughter developed 'confidence and empowerment,' while another described how her son went from being unable to run a quarter mile without stopping to running a half mile nonstop and regularly riding his bike to the store. Julie McNeil, Day Program Director at FRIENDS of Broomfield, praised Anderson's patience and creativity in understanding individual needs before challenging clients to achieve more.
The Better Every Day Method, as outlined on his website, is built on these five principles: meet people where they are, move with purpose, build better habits, strengthen the whole family, and create lifelong independence. Anderson, an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and former Registered Behavior Technician, brings over 15 years of experience working with families, individuals with disabilities, and care organizations. His message is straightforward: start with the person, not the program. Understand where they are, find movement with purpose, build sustainable habits, and work toward becoming a little better every day.
